3 Rangers Who Won't Survive the NHL Trade Deadline
The Rangers are one of the teams to watch this trade deadline as the team looks to bolster its chances of winning the Stanley Cup.
The New York Rangers will certainly be a buyer at March 8th's trade deadline as they sit tied with the Bruins for first place in the Eastern Conference with 81 points. The Rangers have a serious need at the wing position with the injuries to Blake Wheeler and Filip Chytil causing positional shifts as some depth signings have not panned out.
The trade deadline coming will mean that we see a few faces depart the Rangers organization while others are returned to Hartford as the team calibrates for the playoffs. The expectation is that the Rangers will add one if not two wing players to help the first line in five on five scoring while also adding veteran depth players.
The New York Rangers need to add a scorer
The biggest need and the type of player that will take this team over the top in its push for the playoffs is a wing with scoring ability to help unlock Mika Zibanejad. The top line has struggled in five-on-five play and part of the issue may be the rotating cast of players Kreider and Zibanejad have played with.
Blake Wheeler, Kaapo Kakko, Jimmy Vesey, and even Artemi Panarin have spent time on the top line with the group failing to mesh. Trade target Frank Vatrano could certainly be an option as he's had success playing alongside the duo.
3. Zac Jones
If the Rangers are to part ways with a highly touted asset at the deadline, it's most likely going to be Zac Jones. The team has been adamant about holding onto their first-round pick while they will not move on from top prospects Gabe Perreault or Brennan Othmann. Jones was expected to be a great defenseman for the Rangers, but he hasn't been able to fit in with the team, playing just 17 games this season.
In his 17 games, Jones has recorded a goal and four assists with a -5 plus-minus. The Rangers have no real need for Jones currently with its defense core in place and Matthew Robinson as an additional left-handed defenseman. Jones hasn't played since early February and both sides may be best off with a fresh start.